Automatic Squeezing Machine

ABSTRACT

A squeezing machine whose actual squeezing element is formed mainly of a cone or rotating head which, apart from the rotating movement, has upward or downward movement depending on the point in the squeezing operation, on which there is a set of blades in the form of fins in such a way that the fruit is deposited on said blades and when these are pushed by the rotating cone in its upward path exert pressure on the fruit, slicing this vertically and guiding it towards the cone for crushing the pulp, as the fruit cannot escape through being trapped in the recess inside a dome that may consist of two parts, one of them moving, in such a way that as it moves it leaves open a hole communicating the squeezing element with a bin containing the fruit to be squeezed, allowing in a fruit previously aligned with said hollow by means of a pulling system.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

As its name indicates, this invention consists of a squeezing machinewhose actual squeezing element is mainly made up of a cone or rotatinghead which, apart from its rotary movement, moves upwards or downwardsat different points in the squeezing operation, wherein there are anumber of fin-shaped radial blades on said cone that are considerablyhigher at their ends so that the fruit is centred on said blades by theeffect of gravity, and which, when these are driven by the rotary conein its upward stroke, exert pressure on the fruit, slicing thisvertically and guiding it towards the cone for crushing its pulp, sincethe fruit cannot escape through being trapped inside the hollow interiorof a dome which encloses the assembly. In said dome there is an openinghole which by means of an opening and closing device synchronised withfruit pulling systems, allows in the fruit to be squeezed in an orderlyand regulated way from a tray whose base, preferably circular, is partof the dome strictly speaking. Said opening hole, through which thefruit is automatically fed into the squeezer, can be replaced with asimple dome formed in an opening cover so that the fruit is fed inmanually.

PRIOR STATE OF THE ART

There are different machines and methods available for automaticallysqueezing fruit, patents P9701407 and P9901055 deserving mention for thepresent purposes.

In both patents, each with its specialities, the squeezer mechanism isformed of a rotary cone with the function of crushing the fruit's pulp,a set of blades fitted on said rotary cone which cut the fruit and a cupdome at the top which, as it moves downwards, forces the fruit againstthe blades and against the rotary cone. The squeezing sequence can thusbe summed up in that the fruit reaches the cavity existing between thecup and the blades by different pulling means, being lodged there, andthen said cup starts to move downwards and, by exerting pressure on thefruit, slices this up through the effect of the blades on which this isplaced, so as the fruit is cut, this gradually drops between the gapsbetween the blades, and meets the rotary cone which breaks up its pulp.

This squeezing system, with a rotary cone and lowering cup, entailsdifferent problems in practice due to the tensions that have to be borneby the arm which connects the dome with the guide for its movement,meaning that this point of connection has to be reinforced and thuscomplicating the action of inserting fruit into the machine since eitherthe arm which connects the dome with the movement guide goes throughthis dome, causing a weak coupling or, to prevent said weakness, thespace between the blades and the dome is extended to allow lateral entryof fruit, which means the machine has to be oversized.

Apart from this, any outer part of a machine with movement, such as thedome in this case, generates a risk in its use and an added factor ofpossible breakdowns through there being greater possibilities of itencountering an obstacle in its path which might spoil it or force it,or in the event of locating a piece of some size, as is the case of thedome, inside the machine, this means the size of the machine has to beincreased, which may affect its marketing potential.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the problems described a squeezing machine is presented ofthe sort which consists of a rotary cone, a set of blades and an uppercup, whose essential characteristic is that in the squeezing sequence itis the rotary cone, making use of rotary force, which rises until itmeets the dome, the fruit feeding also being done automatically throughthe dome itself consisting of two parts, one fixed and the otheropening, set in the base of a an upper tray which houses the fruit whilethis is waiting to be squeezed, although the feeding operation can bedone manually replacing the tray with an opening cover which would housea preferably single-piece dome inside it.

To provide the upwardly moving effect of the rotary cone, descendingafter squeezing the fruit, the motor rotation is transmitted by means ofa pulley, belt or some other means, to a tubular part, with smoothinternal walls, which houses a spindle inside it. Said spindle has abase crossed by a piece projecting at its sides and which is housed inlongitudinal slots which cross the tubular part mentioned so that bothpieces move together as these rotate but the spindle is free to start anupward or downward movement guided by the lateral slots of the tubularpart stated above.

This upward or downward movement of the spindle is achieved thanks tothe upper part of this screwing into a fixed nut which means that whenrotating, the spindle moves upwards or downwards depending on therotation direction.

The upper nut, anchored at the end of the spindle, houses the rotarycone in such a way that, when the spindle goes through said nut upwardsthrough the rotation effect, it will force the upward movement of therotary cone to which both the rotary movement and the upward or downwardmovement are thus transmitted.

Discrimination between upward movement or downward movement is ensuredby two switches or sensors, one at the beginning and the other at theend of the spindle travel, or of any other item covering this distance,which will alternate the polarity of the motor current.

The cutting blades are set on the cone rotation axle, secured by a rodwhich goes into the spindle, but these blades do not turn together withthe cone since, through projections or similar items incorporated inthese, they are inserted into guides made on the internal side of thecylindrical casing which houses the squeezing assembly, thus making therotary cone, in its upward movement, push the blades which willsimilarly move along the aforementioned guides, but without transmittingthe rotation through the containing effect of these same guides.

The squeezer assembly is finished off by a dome or cup which retains thefruit while the blades act on this, cutting it up, and then the rotarycone, crushing the pulp and extracting the juice.

This dome has vertical slots which will allow the blades through this insuch a way that the rotary cone can, at its uppermost point, practicallyfit right against the internal side of the aforementioned dome, beingcalibrated to leave sufficient distance to prevent the fruit peel orrind from being crushed and releasing bitter-flavoured essential oils.

Since not all fruit has peel of the same thickness, however, theinvention envisages the fixed nut consisting of two parts so that aspring can be fitted between them, and, in the event of the rotary conereaching the fruit peel and the pressure to be overcome thus beinggreater, it absorbs the remaining travel of the spindle in such a waythat the rotary cone's continuing upward movement is prevented, thusstopping the fruit peel from being crushed.

The dome or cup which was mentioned above consists of two parts in theform of clearly differentiated semi-domes, one fixed and one opening, inwhich the latter, at a specific point in the squeezing process, movesexposing a hole in the dome big enough to allow a new fruit into thesqueezing element.

This compound dome prepared for automatic feeding of fruit can bereplaced with a simple dome which, like a cover of the squeezerassembly, allows the fruit to be fed in manually.

Going on with the squeezing sequence as described up to here, aftercrushing the fruit pulp, the juice slides down the sides of the rotarycone, falling on to a filter which pours it into a tray, which in turnsupplies the juice through a tap or similar.

Apart from this, after the blades have completed the cut, the differentpieces of peel or rind fall through the effect of gravity onto thefilter and are ejected into a container bin by centrifugal force due tothe rotation of the cone.

This ejection phase is assisted by the geometry of one of the blades,which helps to guide the peel towards the hole which communicates withthe container bin.

Another of the questions which have been envisaged is that of providingthe squeezing machine with a simple assembly and dismantling system tofacilitate cleaning this and the machine has thus been divided intothree clearly differentiated parts, these being the mechanical part, thecasings forming the body of the machine and the squeezerelement with theautomatic feeding tray included which is located in said body in whichthe automatic supply tray can be replaced with an opening cover forminga simple dome, enabling the fruit to be fed in manually.

The mechanical part, consisting mainly of the motor and the rotationtransmission to the squeezer axis, is located on the support base andprotected by a removable perimeter housing which rises up to the waistof the machine.

The middle body of the machine consists of a casing resting on theprevious one and which houses inside the squeezer assembly, whose topbroadens out to form the tray housing the automatic feeding device.

The machine, as has been stated, can come without the automatic fruitfeeder so that the top of the squeezer element would consist of a domeof a single piece integrated in an opening cover allowing the fruit tobe fed manually.

For purposes of understanding the above better a number of figures areincluded for illustrative and not limitative purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 represents a general view of the machine showing all its itemsfitted and the tray which houses the automatic feeder (1) with itsprotection cover (2), the bin for containing the peel (3), the squeezingassembly (4) integrated in the central casing (5) and the lower casing(6) inside which the motor and transmission are located.

FIG. 2 shows a general view of the transmission mechanism showing thebase of the machine (7), the motor (8) and the rotation transmissionbelts (9), the tubular part with laterally slotted smooth internal walls(10), and the spindle (11) inserted into the fixed thread consisting oftwo parts (12) and (13) one on top of the other.

FIG. 3 shows the casings and main volumes forming the body of themachine and thus includes the lower casing (6) which houses the motorand transmission mechanism, the intermediate or central casing (5)intended for receiving the squeezing assembly (4) at the rear of whichone can appreciate the opening (15) communicating with the peelcontainer bin (3) also showing the tray (1) housing the automatic feederclosed by the protection cover (2).

FIG. 4 shows in detail the different items forming the squeezer assemblywith the automatic feeder integrated and one can thus see the upperprotection cover (2), the tray (1) inside which the circular piececontaining the fins (24) is located, and which when turning move thefruit lodged in the gaps between them, also being able to see the lackof a base of said tray (25) prepared to couple, as a base, with theassembly consisting of the dome divided into two (26) and (27) underwhich we find the cutter blades (16) and the rotary cone (22).

FIG. 5 shows the alternative proposed for manually feeding the machineand hence one can see the squeezer element except for the rotary cone,which consists of the outer cylinder which contains this (14) with arear opening (15) which gives onto the peel container bin, the blades(16), one of which has an extension (17) to guide the peel towards thecontainer bin, also showing the dome (18) with the slots that allow theblades through on their upward movement (19) and the protection coverwhich covers the dome (20), being able to see the tap or channel whichallows the juice out (21) at the bottom.

FIG. 6 shows the full machine, with the upper protection cover (2), thetray (1) inside which the circular item containing the fins (24) will belocated and which, when turning, move the fruit lodged in the spacesbetween the fins, also being able to observe the lack of a base for thistray (25) prepared to couple, as a base, with the assembly formed of thedome divided into two (26) and (27) under which there are the cutterblades (16) and the rotary cone (22), the central (5) and lower (6)casings, the tap (21), the motor (8), the base of the machine (7), thetubular part with smooth internal walls (10), the fixed threadconsisting of two parts (12) and (13) one on top of the other, and thepeel container bin (3).

FIG. 7 shows the full machine, with the manual feeding option, in whichone can see the opening cover (28) the dome protection cover (20), theblades (16), the central (5) and lower (6) casings, the rotary cone(22), the tap (21) the motor, the base of the machine (7), the tubularpart with smooth internal walls (10), the fixed thread consisting of twoparts (12) and (13) one on top of the other and the peel container bin(3).

FIG. 8 shows the detail of the rotary cone (22) the tubular part withsmooth internal walls (10), the spindle, the compound fixed thread (12)and (13) and the spring (23) intended to be located between both partsof the thread to absorb part of the spindle displacement when there is achange in the pressure at the end.

FIG. 9 shows a section of the assembled machine in which one canappreciate almost all its items, thus showing the cover which enclosesthe assembly (2), the tray which houses the automatic feed system (1),the peel container bin (3), the actual dome consisting of two parts (26)and (27), the part that contains the fins (24) the blades (16), therotary cone (22) the tap (21), the compound fixed nut (12) and (13), thespindle (11) and the tubular part with smooth internal walls (10) aswell as the rod which associates the blades with the spindle (29)

FIG. 10 shows a section of the machine set up in its manual feedingoption in which one can appreciate almost all its items, such as theopening cover (30) which houses the dome (18) and its protector (20),the peel container bin (3), the blades (16), the rotary cone (22) thetap (21), the compound fixed nut (12) and (13), the spindle (11) and thetubular part with smooth internal walls (10).

PREFERABLE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is now explained, as this has beendesigned in its full form, that is the fully automatic machine both inits squeezing and its feeding process, although what has been describedup to now and what is stated herein make it clear that this is not theonly possible form of embodiment, since the same machine can be suppliedwith the automatic feed removed from it and replaced with a manualfeeder.

This invention, as has been explained, consists of a squeezing machineof the type in which the fruit is trapped between a hollow dome (26) and(27) and a series of blades (16) and, by pressure against these blades,is sliced and then squeezed by a rotary cone (22) which crushes itspulp, with the juice thus produced sliding towards a filter which poursit into a tray, the essential characteristic of the machine being boththe squeezing system and the mechanism which allows this, the pressurecausing the slicing and squeezing of the fruit being made by the upwardmovement of the rotary cone (22) which pulls up with it the blades (16)leading the fruit to be trapped by the dome (26) and (27).

The mechanism by means of which this effect is obtained consists of amotor (8) whose rotation is transmitted to a tubular part (10), withsmooth internal walls and with at least one longitudinal slot in whichsaid part houses inside it a spindle (11) with at least oneprotuberance, which is inserted in the longitudinal slots mentionedabove in such a way that, when the tubular part (10) turns, it pulls.along with it the inner spindle (11) which is nevertheless free to beable to go up or down, being guided by the lateral slots of the tubularpart.

The aforementioned spindle threads, at the top, into a fixed nutconsisting of two parts (12) and (13) one on top of the other, whichthrough the effect of the spindle rotation move this upwards ordownwards depending on the rotation direction.

When the squeezing process starts, the spindle is in the lower positionand through the effect of the rotation and the fixed nut it rises,pushing up the rotary cone and the blades with it in such a way that thecone rotates along with the spindle, while the blades do not turnthrough the effect of projections which engage in guides in the interiorwalls of the cylinder containing the squeezer element (14), these guidesand a rod which inserts into the spindle (29) allowing the upward anddownward movement of the blades and preventing any possible rotationthat might arise through friction with the spindle or the cone.

After the squeezing sequence starts, the fruit, located on the blades,rises pushed by these until this is trapped in the inner part of thedome or cup (18), meaning that, as the blades follow their upward path,they start the cutting process, making the pieces stemming from thecutting operation slide between the blades, being pressed and their pulpcrushed by the rotating cone (22).

On their way up, the blades go into the same number of vertical slots inthe dome (19) in such a way that the cone can go up to the uppermostposition, with the cone and dome practically fitting together, thusensuring total separation of the different parts of the fruit.

To prevent any excessive pressure of the cone on the fruit peel fromcrushing this and thus releasing essential oils and other liquids fromthe peel that may have a bitter taste, inside the fixed nut, between itstwo parts (12) and (13) there is a spring (23) which yields to excesspressure and prevents the cone from continuing upwards, thusneutralising the upward effect of the spindle and preventing the conefrom managing to affect the peel or rind.

The upper part of the squeezer element can be defined as an automaticfruit feeder essentially made up of a tray inside which, forming part ofthe base, this houses the retaining dome consisting of two semi-domeitems (26) and (27) in which one of these is fixed while the other movessynchronically with the circular part which contains the fins pullingthe fruit (24).

When the machine is at rest, the moving part of the dome (27) movessideways, pulling along with it the circular part (24) and thus thefins, with the fruit contained in the gaps between these, so that thepoint of total aperture of the semi-dome item coincides with when thefruit to be squeezed has been lifted against the open hole and, throughthe very geometry of the place where it is resting and thanks to guideswhich minimise the friction, it falls inside the squeezer elementthrough the effect of gravity, being lodged also by gravity in thecentre of the assembly formed of the blades, since these are higher attheir ends than at the centre.

When the fruit has got to this position, the moving semi-dome partreturns to its original position, this time without pulling along withit the circular part which contains the fins, stopping over the holethanks to a series of anchorages through its geometry which prevent thismoving part from yielding or oscillating, as the fruit is pushed againstthe dome.

The aforementioned squeezer item, as well as the other items from thesqueezing machine, are located in a body made up of different casings(5) and (6) which are easy to dismantle and clean as described below.

The mechanical part, consisting of the motor and transmission, islocated on the base of the machine (7) being protected around itsperimeter by a casing (6) which rises up to the waist of the machine.

On this casing another one is inserted (5), with a hole to allow throughthe spindle on which the squeezer assembly will be inserted, this casingbeing the middle body of the machine housing inside the squeezer itemwith the automatic feeder, where applicable.

In the embodiment of the invention intended for feeding the machinemanually, the opening cover (28) is fitted on the assembly, this beingthe support which houses the dome (18) and its outer protector (20).

1. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE of the sort whose squeezing elementconsists of a dome or cup for retaining the fruit under which there is aset of blades which slice the fruit vertically by pressure and guidethis towards a rotating cone which will crush the pulp, extracting thejuice from this, essentially characterised in that the rotating cone(22) performs the dual movement of rotation and vertical displacement,either upwards or downwards, so that when the squeezing cycle starts thecone (22) and the blades (16) are at the lowest position and during thisprocess they move upwards, wherein the blades slice the fruit and therotary cone crushes its pulp, after which the downward movement starts,in which the surplus peel is expelled by centrifugal force, the machinethen being ready for a further squeezing operation, wherein themechanism which enables said movements is a motor (8) which transmitsthe rotation to a tubular part (10) inside which there is a spindle (11)and said tubular part and the spindle turn together due to therelationship of their geometrical forms, while these same forms meanthat said spindle is free in its vertical upward or downward movement,this movement being achieved by means of a fixed nut (12) and (13) intowhich it threads and which, depending on the rotation direction, willmake the spindle move upwards or downwards, said spindle transmittingthe rotary movement and vertical displacement to the rotary cone (22)and this pushes the blades (16) up as it goes, though these blades donot take part in the rotation through being vertically guided and brakedin any rotation which they might be transmitted through contact with therotary items thanks to insertions in the internal walls of thepreferably cylindrical piece which houses the assembly.
 2. AUTOMATICSQUEEZING MACHINE according to claim one, essentially characterised inthat the rotation of the driving force is transmitted to a tubular part(10) with smooth internal walls with at least one lateral longitudinalslot.
 3. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according to previous claims,essentially characterised in that housed in the tubular part describedin the previous claim there is a spindle (11) with the same number ofprojections as the lateral longitudinal slots in the tubular part sothat said projections are inserted in the slots, thus transmitting therotation of the tubular part (10) to the spindle (11) that thisreceives.
 4. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according to previous claimsessentially characterised in that the spindle (11) threads, preferablyat the top, into a fixed nut so that, depending on the direction of thespindle rotation, this will move vertically upwards or downwards. 5.AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according to previous claims, essentiallycharacterised in that the cone (22) or rotating head engages in thespindle, both the rotary movement and the upward or downward verticalmovement being transmitted to said head.
 6. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINEaccording to previous claims, essentially characterised in that thefixed nut described in claim four consists of at least two parts (12)and (13), preferably one above the other, in such a way that a spring(23) can be fitted between these to absorb the remaining travel of thespindle in the event of the pressure which has to be overcome by therotary cone increasing.
 7. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according toprevious claims, essentially characterised in that a set of blades isfitted on the rotary cone (22) which during the squeezing process movesvertically upwards or downwards following the path of the rotary cone.8. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according to the previous claimsessentially characterised in that said blades (16), which have the shapeof vertical fins with the sharp edge at the top, are mostly set outradially with at least one of them having an extension (17) up to theinternal wall of the cylinder which receives the squeezer element. 9.AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according to previous claims, essentiallycharacterised in that at least one of the blades which can have theextension described in claim eight will be lodged in a slot made in theinternal side of the cylinder containing the squeezer element, brakingany rotation which might be caused in the blades due to friction withthe rotary cone and with the spindle, and there can be as many slots asblades are wished to be inserted and wherein at least one of the bladeswill border on the opening (15) which communicates the squeezer elementwith the container bin (3), forcing the resulting peel, moved bycentrifugal force, to fall into the bin.
 10. AUTOMATIC. SQUEEZINGMACHINE according to previous claims, essentially characterised in thatwhen the squeezer element is closed there is a dome (26) and (27) inwhich the fruit will be enclosed at the point when this is sliced andlater ejected, this dome being vertically slotted and wherein theblades, on their way up, are inserted into said slots (19) in such a waythat in the cone's highest position this practically fits against theinside of the dome.
 11. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according to theprevious claim, essentially characterised in that the dome is integratedin the base of a feed bin containing the fruit while this is waiting tobe squeezed (1).
 12. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according to previousclaims, essentially characterised in that the dome which retains thefruit on its way up is arranged in two parts, one of these fixed (26)and another moving (27) in such a way that when the moving part isdisplaced it leaves a space open which communicates the bin containingthe fruit to be squeezed (1) with the inside of the squeezer elementitself.
 13. AUTOMATIC-SQUEEZING MACHINE according to previous claims,essentially characterised in that the bin containing the fruit to besqueezed (1) houses inside it a set of vanes (24) surrounded by acircular piece in such a way that the aforementioned bin is divided intoa series of sections into which the fruit is located.
 14. AUTOMATICSQUEEZING MACHINE according to previous claims, essentiallycharacterised in that when the moving part of the dome (27) is displacedto leave the hole communicating with the interior of the squeezerelement open, the circular piece which contains the vanes (24) movessynchronically, thus pushing forward the following fruit until this isplaced in front of said hole, causing this to fall by gravity andassisted by guides incorporated in the pulling item (24).
 15. AUTOMATICSQUEEZING MACHINE according to previous claims, essentiallycharacterised in that, after the fruit has dropped inside the squeezingelement, the moving part of the dome (27) returns to its originalposition, and in this inverse path the circular part containing thevanes (24) disengages, for which reason this circular part remainsimmobile while the other (27) moves back.
 16. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZINGMACHINE according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10,essentially characterised in that the dome (18) is formed of a singlepiece and is covered by a protection cover (20), easily removable fromthe dome for cleaning, so that the blades (16), when inserted into saidslots, are not left exposed.
 17. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE accordingto claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 16, essentiallycharacterised in that the dome (18) and the protection cover whichcovers this (20) are integrated in a part (30) which acts as openingcover so that it is possible to open this manually and thus manuallyfeed the squeezer element.
 18. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according toprevious claims, essentially characterised in that the body of themachine consists of a base (7) which houses the motor (8) and theremaining drive elements, with said base being closed around theperimeter by a casing (6) which rises up to the waist of the machine.19. AUTOMATIC SQUEEZING MACHINE according to previous claims,essentially characterised in that on the perimeter casing described (6)in claim eighteen there is another easily removable casing (5) whichreveals an accessible recess enabling the squeezer element to be housedin this.